German prisoners of war in Eindhoven:
On 18 September the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division made their way into Eindhoven. At about 1300 hours
the city was in allied hands. Now the paratroops had to wait for XXX-corps to enter the city. While moving into Eindhoven
the 101st Airborne Division made a reasonable amount of prisoners. With XXX-corps still stuck at Aalst, a few miles south of
Eindhoven, the paratroopers had to find a spot to hold the prisoners until the British forces would releave them and lead the
prisoners back to Belgium.
Eventually the Headquarters (HQ) section of the 506 PIR found a spot in a school building on the Don Boscostraat. The school is called
the ‘Don Bosco school’, later renamed to ‘de Trinoom’ and is still in use.
The Dutch underground in Eindhoven (PAN) and (military) police in Eindhoven, helped the paratroopers collecting the prisoners. Armed with guns
they escorted the prisoners towards the school where they were questioned, searched and filed. At about 1900 hours, when XXX-corps arrived in
Eindhoven, the prisoners were led towards Belgium. From here they would be brought to England or America to be held in prisoner of war camps.
Below you find a photo report with additional information.
On 18 September the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division made their way into Eindhoven. At about 1300 hours
the city was in allied hands. Now the paratroops had to wait for XXX-
prisoners back to Belgium.
Eventually the Headquarters (HQ) section of the 506 PIR found a spot in a school building on the Don Boscostraat. The school is called
the ‘Don Bosco school’, later renamed to ‘de Trinoom’ and is still in use.
The Dutch underground in Eindhoven (PAN) and (military) police in Eindhoven, helped the paratroopers collecting the prisoners. Armed with guns
they escorted the prisoners towards the school where they were questioned, searched and filed. At about 1900 hours, when XXX-
Below you find a photo report with additional information.
Photos right: Members of the
resistance movement PAN, escort
German POW’s towards the Don Bosco
school building. Picture taken on the
Keizersgracht.
resistance movement PAN, escort
German POW’s towards the Don Bosco
school building. Picture taken on the
Keizersgracht.
Photo above: the German prisoners were lined up in the schoolyard and led into the school building. At around 1900 hours the German
prisoners were assembled at the schoolyard again and marched of towards Valkenswaard. (Ben Postema)
On the left a German soldier’s ID, called a ‘Soldbuch’.
prisoners were assembled at the schoolyard again and marched of towards Valkenswaard. (Ben Postema)
On the left a German soldier’s ID, called a ‘Soldbuch’.
Photo: there must have been
a relaxed atmosphere inside
the school, as you can see
looking at the body language
of the German soldiers.
Most of the troops held inside
the school were Luftwaffe
personnel.
On the right picture we see
a soldier of the 506 PIR, most
probably from HQ-506 PIR.
(Ben Postema)
a relaxed atmosphere inside
the school, as you can see
looking at the body language
of the German soldiers.
Most of the troops held inside
the school were Luftwaffe
personnel.
On the right picture we see
a soldier of the 506 PIR, most
probably from HQ-
Photo: Both pictures are taken on the Aalsterweg, which is the main road leading south towards Valkenswaard. On the right picture we can clearly see
members of PAN and the Dutch police. The German prisoners seem to be well disciplined, marching in perfect lines towards Valkenswaard.
Strange to see that there is almost no traffic on the road, even though this is a part of the ‘Club route’ (British name for the highway leading up to Arnhem).
members of PAN and the Dutch police. The German prisoners seem to be well disciplined, marching in perfect lines towards Valkenswaard.
Strange to see that there is almost no traffic on the road, even though this is a part of the ‘Club route’ (British name for the highway leading up to Arnhem).
Photo left: PAN members were recognisable by the blue
Coverall with belt and an arm brassard with PAN printed on it.
Some PAN members also wore a Dutch army helmet.
This picture is taken on the Keizersgracht. (Ben Postema)
Next to the picture you see a PAN brassard. Read the story
behind this brassard on the website of the Battledetective.
Coverall with belt and an arm brassard with PAN printed on it.
Some PAN members also wore a Dutch army helmet.
This picture is taken on the Keizersgracht. (Ben Postema)
Next to the picture you see a PAN brassard. Read the story
behind this brassard on the website of the Battledetective.
